Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:50pm on 03 Dec 2025,Wednesday India
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sparked controversy by alleging that Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to use public funds to build the Babri Masjid, but was opposed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Congress dismissed the claim as “lies” and accused Singh of “rewriting history.” Singh cited Inside Story of Sardar Patel: The Diary of Maniben Patel (1936–50), which records Patel telling Nehru that government money could not be used for a mosque, unlike the Somnath Temple reconstruction funded by a trust. Singh drew a parallel to the Ram Mandir, stressing no government funds were used. Congress leader Manickam Tagore insisted there is “zero archival evidence” supporting Singh’s assertion, calling it polarising rhetoric. (PC: NDTV & News18)
